Can Mathematics be done on Pocket PCs? When we first seriously investigated
this question in the Fall of 2002, we expected that the answer was no. We knew
that we could do some simple calculator mathematics and thought there was not
much out there. However, if you dig deep enough and put in the right combination
of phrases in one of the well know search engines, you will find some
interesting results. Some of these results were reported at recent ICTCM
(International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics) meetings (see
Paper (ICTCM 2002) and List
of Links for Mathematics on Pocket Computers). Of course, one might
ask why do mathematics on Pocket PCs. We can address that issue later, though we
would like to note that it is possible that such handheld devices may become
more abundant over the next decade.

Math.NET
http://www.cdrnet.net/projects/nmath/demos.asp This is a library of
graphing and computational utilities being developed for programmers. While
seemingly incomplete, there may be something interesting in the future from
this site.

Symbolic Systems

Euclid -
http://www.poliplus.com/ Euclid is an interactive mathematics
visualization environment for dynamic geometry in which users can draw shapes
and transform them while measuring important geometric relations. It needs
Jeode JVM and currently only works on specific machines.

Formulae 1
http://www.poliplus.com/ F1 is a CAS that can perform mathematical
calculations from simple algebra to complex calculus both numerically and
symbolic. It needs Jeode JVM and currently only works on specific machines.

JACAL
http://swiss.csail.mit.edu/~jaffer/JACAL is a symbolic mathematics system
for the simplification and manipulation of equations and algebraic expressions
constructed of numbers, variables, radicals, and algebraic functions,
differential, and holonomic functions. It runs under the Scheme environment.
It is typically part of the installation of the above Scheme implementations.

Data Acquisition

Data Harvest DATAQ System
http://www.data-harvest.co.uk/ This system works on handhelds and pocket
PCs with a variety of probes and can use many of the Vernier probes. Flash
Logger
http://www.flashlogger.com/ The EasySense Flash card logger slips solidly
into the Compact Flash expansion slot of your Pocket PC to form a completely
integrated probe solution. This is also a product of Data Harvest. [See
above.]

HASA 2.1
http://www.equatesystems.com/pocketpc/ HASA is a handheld audio frequency
spectrum analyzer which displays frequency spectra in real time as sounds are
picked up by the built-in microphone.

Pocket Hyperchem
http://www.hyper.com/ Pocket HyperChem is an integrated and flexible
molecular modeling product for researchers, educators, and students,
presenting molecular mechanics and semi-empirical quantum mechanics
calculations. This software demonstrates the capabilities of what can be done
on handheld devices that a decade ago could only be done on large machines -
visualizing and analyzing molecular dynamics

SLAE Solver allows to find on a personal
computer high accuracy solutions of linear algebraic systems with N equations,
where N may reach hundreds or thousands.
http://www.advmathappl.com/ This application also has versions for Windows
and Palm OS.

Other Platforms

PocketDOS
http://www.pocketdos.com/PocketDOS is
based on an IBM PC/XT emulator for Windows CE which emulates a PC with an
80186 processor, 1Mb of RAM, a CGA-compatible display. PocketDOS is able to
provide the same level of application compatibility as the original IBM PC/XT,
while still allowing the H/PC or P/PC user access to all of the features and
applications of the Windows CE operating system.

Linux/Unix Some
places to look for embedded Linux OS are
http://www.linuxda.com/for Palm III.The NetBSD Operating
System is a fully functional Open Source UNIX-like operating system.
http://www.netbsd.org/ However, at this time it appears that there Linux
OS are restricted to certain platforms.

Palm Pilot There
are several programs for doing mathematics on Palm Pilots. However, there
appears to be quite a bit more for devices running the PPC 2002 OS. Other site
summaries for Mathematics on Palm OS

Development Tools

MS Embedded Visual Tools This free environment
coupled with appropriate SDKs (Microsoft development packages) allows users to
program in embedded Visual C++ or embedded Visual Basic to create stand alone
applications that run on pocket and handheld computers.
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/downloads/emvt30.asp

NS Basic
http://www.nsbasic.com/ On October 30, 2002
the NS Basic Corporation announced the immediate availability of NS Basic/CE
4.0, a development tool for all commercial Windows CE and Pocket PC devices,
including those from HP, Compaq, Casio and others.

Visual Studio .NET
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ This next wave of programming includes
embedded programming, which is also important in mobile phones systems, and
is combining the embedded environment into that for standard PC operating
systems.

Numina II SRS http://aa.uncwil.edu/numina/srs/ This is
a Web-based student response system that uses a combination of wireless
networks, handheld computers, and a data projector to allow students to submit
responses to questions posed by an instructor. The instructor poses a question
in a multiple-choice, true/false, yes/no, or opinion-based format and directs
students to a Web site that generates a form on their computer screens through
which they submit their responses.

Russell L. Herman is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UNCW. This is an evolving article
and is based upon work of the Numina Group and with Dr. Gabriel Lugo, who is
also in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UNCW.